I really need a laptop for a job interview, can't afford it and nobody can lend me one

[Terribleluck]

Would it be terrible of me to buy one to then return it,?

No my DH has no work computer, he doesn't need one. The office is at least. 6hr drive so I can go and present there. I'll look into renting one too. I think I should be able to work on the presentation either on my laptop or iPad, is the multitasking that I'm concerned about (and that I'm 100% my laptop can't handle).

I don't think the poster was referring to things like this (because these aren't restricted to tech people!) - but doing 'techy' things on your own time.

Indeed. And most of them will involved downloading various different things, which your work laptop should never be used for.

Even then it's dubious because a lot of 'tech' jobs don't need fiddling with a computer at all. And even for techy jobs once you've passed a certain point you don't need to build things to prove yourself - on your personal machine.

It’s not about fiddling with a computer, it is about expanding knowledge. But if you think an employee who reaches a stage of their career then sit there is good enough for you, that’s fair enough.

Could you not ask a friend? I'd happily let any of my friends come use my laptop/house.

@BoredZelda

I don't think the poster was referring to things like this (because these aren't restricted to tech people!) - but doing 'techy' things on your own time.

Indeed. And most of them will involved downloading various different things, which your work laptop should never be used for.

Even then it's dubious because a lot of 'tech' jobs don't need fiddling with a computer at all. And even for techy jobs once you've passed a certain point you don't need to build things to prove yourself - on your personal machine.

It’s not about fiddling with a computer, it is about expanding knowledge. But if you think an employee who reaches a stage of their career then sit there is good enough for you, that’s fair enough.

I’m senior management (but still a tech role) in one of the biggest tech firms on the planet. I don’t have a personal laptop. I’m perfectly capable of continuing to expand my knowledge on my work laptop.

But, your husband is an IT manager, so he probably knows best.

@BoredZelda

I don't think the poster was referring to things like this (because these aren't restricted to tech people!) - but doing 'techy' things on your own time.

Indeed. And most of them will involved downloading various different things, which your work laptop should never be used for.

Even then it's dubious because a lot of 'tech' jobs don't need fiddling with a computer at all. And even for techy jobs once you've passed a certain point you don't need to build things to prove yourself - on your personal machine.

It’s not about fiddling with a computer, it is about expanding knowledge. But if you think an employee who reaches a stage of their career then sit there is good enough for you, that’s fair enough.

You've missed the point entirely. It's not about expanding knowledge - but demonstrating it. Someone who's just starting out for example might find a GitHub portfolio useful to showcase personal projects. As you get more senior your most challenging experiences are likely to be done at work itself which you wouldn't be expected to show the world. So you can do your experimentation on a work laptop. Unless there are very strict security controls many things can be downloaded onto work laptops - in fact companies encourage it because all this new tech isn't adopted in a vacuum, it's adopted based on people actually using it and so playing around with it on your own time benefits the company. Some places are very locked down, like the government or teams dealing with client data but that's not representative of all companies.

Anyway there's no point in arguing ; you clearly know best as your husband (not you!) is an 'IT manager' (we don't know what kind - was he ever a programmer), and hence you know everything. Despite many posters telling you otherwise.
Have my first ever

@BoredZelda

DH is the Senior Software architect in his software house and neither he nor I have personal laptops anymore.

Does your IT policy allow using work laptops for personal use?

Yes

Yeahhhh agree with the last two posters. As I said further up the thread I also work in IT (me, not the man of the house) and recruit and it's really not looked down upon. We hire based predominantly on knowledge, experience and character, not whether they have appropriate tech for outside of work hours. I earn a decent salary and still don't have a decent personal laptop. I don't need one.

Also BoredZelda I'm NHS, I have a works laptop and the IT policy includes allowance for personal use.

@fella no, no friends they've said no because it's within working hours.

BTW this is not a begging thread, if you look at all my threads they're all work related, so you'll know what I've been through for the past month.

I’m senior management (but still a tech role) in one of the biggest tech firms on the planet. I don’t have a personal laptop. I’m perfectly capable of continuing to expand my knowledge on my work laptop

Yeah, he can too. But then he has different polices applied to his devices.

You can all get as bent out of shape as you like. In this day and age, it is ridiculous for someone coming to him for a job in IT not to have their own personal computer. It is also very rare.

Also BoredZelda I'm NHS, I have a works laptop and the IT policy includes allowance for personal use.

But it’s restricted, yes? You can’t download software on it?

@Terribleluck

Would it be terrible of me to buy one to then return it,?

Get it from Amazon they have a 60 day no quibble return policy on some they’re selling themselves

@BoredZelda

Also BoredZelda I'm NHS, I have a works laptop and the IT policy includes allowance for personal use.

But it’s restricted, yes? You can’t download software on it?

Mine is, but DHs isn't. DH has absolute full control over his laptop.

@BadwordMcGee DH and I do too , programmers for large corporates

*DP

Honestly OP I don't know who reported you or why (not that I can't guess based on some people's posts in this thread). I remember replying on a fair few of your threads. Chin up and don't listen to the haters.

Could you send the PowerPoint to the interviewers to share and just do ‘next slide please’?

I also would expect a job centre to be able to help with something like this. If not laptop hire then a small room with a desktop PC, particularly given the increase in zoom interviews.

If they're not providing this service then they should be.

Go the library to prep your PowerPoint. Then do finalise the PowerPoint file and save it online. You can the do the interview and presentation on your phone. You can present from your phone. Make sure you practice with a friend. You can do this!

I've sent a couple of enquires to those rentals companies too and see what they come up with. I'm talking to HR when they'll give the brief for the assignment. There's likely to be another interview where I'll need to present too, so the rental seems like the best solution IMO.

If you're in receipt of JSA the Jobcentre has a fund they use to buy things like this for people. It's called the flexible support fund. Ask your work coach they should be able to help.

Could you go round to someone’s house to do the interview and use thier PC/laptop? I’d be happy for any of my friends to pop round to do an interview using our machines if needed.
Alternatively the library might have a pc in a seperate room, or the job centre might be able to facilitate this for you.

Also it might be possible to actually go into the company you are interviewing with and use a pc there? Even if the interviewers etc are not there they can still dial in.

Thanks for all the tips. I hope DWP/JC can help. Although I have a Morty so I'm not entirely they'll, but I can only hope. Or maybe I can hire one for just a few weeks. For the last posters, no U can't use any of my friends, no I can'tt go to the office it's at least 6hrs away.